Beth Smythe, RD, CDN, CPT-GDA
District: GDA

J. Elizabeth Smythe (Beth) is a nutrition consultant and private practitioner in the Rochester area who specializes in weight management, nutrition and wellness. She is also a Certified Personal Trainer. Beth began her private practice in 1999. She has worked as a nutrition and wellness consultant for a privately owned supermarket chain, regularly speaks for organizations and corporations on nutrition, health and wellness issues, and is regularly seen on a local news program.

As an active volunteer, she has held many positions on both her state and local dietetic associations' boards. As an active member of the NYSDA board she is President-Elect and a Media Representative. Previous positions held include Legislative Network Coordinator and District President Representative. On the local level, Beth is Past President, Public Relations Chair and Fundraising Chair for the Genesee Dietetic Association.

Beth is also the recipient of the NYSDA's Emerging Leader Award.

Maria Mahar, MA, RD, CDN

Maria is a Nutrition Services Coordinator for the Senior Nutrition Program at the Onondaga County Department of Aging and Youth in Syracuse, NY. Prior to working in community nutrition, she worked in numerous management positions for Marriott and Sodexho corporations in the health care division. Maria completed her undergraduate work in dietetics at State University College at Oneonta, NY, completed a dietetic internship and earned a master degree in nutrition from Syracuse University.

Maria has served several positions at the local and state dietetic association levels. She has served as National Nutrition Month Co-Chair, President (CNYDA), and Annual Meeting Chair (NYSDA). She recently completed the 2007 Leadership Institute in San Diego, California.

“Being part of the CNYDA and NYSDA teams has been a worthwhile experience for me, the lifelong relationships and leadership skills that I have developed are invaluable. I encourage everyone to volunteer in their local, state or national dietetic association: Life is what you make of it. The more you put into it, the more it reflects back on you.”

Sandra is a Registered Dietitian with thirty-seven years experience in the healthcare industry. This includes positions in critical care, renal services, long-term care settings, and management. In addition she has experience in day care, home care, corrections, and public health and has been an active collaborator on multiple grant-funded programs. Currently, she is the Clinical Manager of Nutrition and Diabetes at Glens Falls Hospital and manages a staff of both RDs and RNs. Prior to this she was Associate Director of Food and Nutrition Services at UNC in Chapel Hill, NC. She has attained her undergraduate degree in Food and Nutrition and a graduate degree in Administration and Leadership, both from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh. She is currently serving on the NYSDA Board of Directors as Co-Chair of Delegates and the NYSDA Licensure Task Force. She is serving as Chair of the Quality Management Committee of the American Dietetic Association and oversees the Scope of Dietetics Practice Subcommittee of ADA.

Wahida Karmally, DrPH, RD, CDE
District: GNYDA, LIDA

Wahida Karmally is Director of Nutrition in The Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research; Associate Research Scientist and Lecturer in Dentistry at Columbia University in New York, where she teaches in the medical and dental schools. Dr. Karmally serves on the Board of Directors for the Accreditation Council for Clinical Lipidology and is a Research Committee Member for the American Association of Diabetes Educators and the ADA. She chairs the expert committee on Disorders of Lipid Metabolism for the ADA’s Evidence Analysis Library, is a member of the Evidence-Based Practice Committee, is the NYSDA delegate in ADA’s House of Delegates, is a member of the ADA Asia Pacific Diabetes Action Council, and was an ADA media spokesperson for 11 years. Dr. Karmally earned her DrPH in Health Policy and Management from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. She is a Certified Diabetes Educator and Diplomate of the ACCL (Clinical Lipid Specialist).

Connie Tirado, RD, CDN
District: WRDA

Bio coming soon.

Susan Branning, MBA, RD, CNSD, CDN
District: STDA

Susan is the Assistant Director of Food and Nutrition Services/Clinical Nutrition Manager with Morrison Healthcare Food Services at Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton, NY. In addition, she is a Regional Clinical Nutrition Manager, serving as a clinical resource to other Morrison Healthcare accounts in the Northeast.

Susan graduated from Penn State University with a BS in Nutrition and completed her Dietetic Internship with United Health Services Hospitals in Johnson City, NY. Recently, Susan earned her MBA from Colorado State University.

Prior to joining the NYSDA BOD, she was actively involved in the Southern Tier Dietetic Association for over ten years, holding various leadership offices including President.Susan is an avid sports fan and enjoys cooking and traveling in her spare time.

Nancy Nissen, RD
District: MHDA

Nancy is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin with a BS in Dietetics.She completed her internship at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and the Little Rock VA Hospital.She has worked as a clinical dietitian in Florida, Home Care and Dialysis in Minnesota. Currently, she is the chief clinical dietitian at Golden Hill Health care center in Ulster County. Her two daughters keep her very busy but she enjoy hiking, reading and knitting in her spare time.

Eden Kalman, MA, RD, CDN
District: GNYDA

Bio coming soon.